Faulty Equipment to Blame for 911 Issue in Minnesota

ST. PAUL —The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Emergency Communication Networks division (DPS-ECN) is learning more about the incident that affected 911 service for residents in eight southeastern Minnesota counties on Monday, Jan. 11.

People in Dodge, Freeborn, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties experienced issues when attempting to call 911 between 12:56 p.m. and 8:08 p.m. Monday. Callers could speak to a dispatcher and heard the dispatcher speak, but the dispatcher could not hear the caller.

To work around this issue, the PSAPs (public safety answering points), or 911 dispatch centers, used caller information from their display screens to contact each caller using their administrative lines. In addition, PSAPs encouraged people who needed help to use their 10-digit, 24-hour, non-emergency numbers until service was restored. Text-to-911 service was also operational at that time…

New York details COVID vaccine phases heading into Phase 1b, including Dispatchers

ALBANY — The state Department of Health this week detailed the COVID-19 vaccine plan as New York continues in Phase 1a and begins to serve the initial groups from Phase 1b.

Beginning Jan. 11:

– Individuals Age 75 and older
– First Responders and Support Staff for First Responder Agency
– Fire Service
– Public Safety Communications
– Emergency Communication and Public Safety Answering Point Personnel, including dispatchers and technicians…

Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls

The overarching goal of the public-safety community is to ensure that 911 callers receive the most appropriate emergency response as quickly as possible. Lives often are on the line in an emergency, and every second matters.

Achieving a balance between sending the optimal response to an emergency and having it arrive as fast as possible is tricky. In fact, it is analogous to walking a tightrope. To achieve the former, many emergency communications centers (ECCs) rely on standard protocols developed for each type of emergency call that they receive, typically law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical… READ MORE

Kentucky State Police to hire dozens of telecommunicators

OUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) is seeking to train and hire 34 full-time and part-time Telecommunicator positions.

Jobs are open at 13 post locations across the commonwealth.

KSP Telecommunicators handle dispatch duties for Kentucky State Troopers, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers and other emergency service agencies… READ MORE

‘Safety is our number one priority’: Marion County judge weighs in on 911 dispute

Marion County Judge John Massey wants the public to know he has a different view of the current situation regarding 911 dispatching services. Unless the cities of Bull Shoals and Flippin pay approximately $21,000 each, the county will no longer provide ancillary law enforcement services for the cities, the judge said.

County dispatchers will still dispatch officers from those cities in emergency situations, the judge stressed…